Very effective low-budget British horror that, thanks to skillful direction and a striking central performance, delivers its impact with great economy. John Moxey creates a wonderfully spooky sense of mood in a studio-bound backwoods New England town, still under the curse of a 17th century witch. He is aided by a memorable performance from Patricia Jessel as the unholy Elizabeth Selwyn, a chilling portrait of malevolence and evil. Christopher Lee is billed higher but his is more of a supporting role to the poker-faced Jessel. If it starts a bit slow, it soon picks up pace, with lots of atmosphere, from the creepy old inn, hellishly lit by firelight shadows, to the town streets blanketed by dry-ice.
Review of The City of the Dead
